Looking for a gemstone with some sparkle...

[jewelz617]

I''ve been spending waaaay too much time online positively drooling over a particular pink diamond. And while it''s still a possibility, the price tag makes me nervous. I think I could be perfectly happy with a pink gemstone, but I know it''s not realistic to find one with the same kind of fire and sparkle of a diamond. But could I still get a nice effect with something like Morganite? Sapphire? Zircon even?

 

[Porridge]

Ooh good question, I wanna know too!

I know zircon has great dispersion, but I don''t know much beyond that. I guess higher refractive index, higher sparkle? Is that correct?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I'd go with pink spinel, crazy sparkle! But nicely realistic price point

Pink zircon isn't a bad idea either, though the ones I see tend to be more of a deeper rose color after heating, as opposed to a light pink-diamond-like color.

Mastercutgems.com has a few for sale currently.

 

[chrono]

I’m not sure I’ve seen a zircon that light but it’s definitely a possibility in morganite and sapphire, although both cannot match the fire of the pink diamond.

 

[lelser]

Pink spinel can work very well. I just cut a replacement stone for a 1ct white diamond. The client''s first choice was pink sapphire, but even a rubbish one was more than the spinel.

 

[jewelz617]

Spinels do have nice sparkle. Do they tend to run darker in color? I''ve seen a lot of raspberry looking colors, not too many as true pink unless treated.

 

[lelser]

Date: 12/2/2009 3:38:27 PM
Author: jewelz617
Spinels do have nice sparkle. Do they tend to run darker in color? I''ve seen a lot of raspberry looking colors, not too many as true pink unless treated.

They are all over the map, from very light true pink to red. I like spinel lots, and find it a fun stone to cut. I head back to Tanzania in January and will (I hope) come back with more rough!

 

[Gailey]

Doesn''t it depend on how you want to wear the stone? The crown on a pink zircon as a replacement for an ER stone is going to get abraded and will make the stone look dull.

That said, I do think zircons are very diamond like (to the untrained eye of course!).

I also have pale blue spinels and they are very sparkly.

A natural pink topaz might be nice, but pricey.

 

[jewelz617]

You''re absolutely correct Gailey. Yes this is for an engagement ring, so durability does indeed factor in as a high priority.

 

[chrono]

Date: 12/2/2009 3:54:15 PM
Author: jewelz617
You''re absolutely correct Gailey. Yes this is for an engagement ring, so durability does indeed factor in as a high priority.

In that case, here are my suggestions:
1. Pink topaz tops the list for durability and sparkle. Expect to pay more if it is untreated.
2. My next choice is pink spinel and pink sapphire.

 

[T L]

If you want the same exact dispersion and refraction as a diamond, unfortunately, I do not think any colored gem of durability can match what a diamond does with light, JMO. That being said, if you want a pink diamond, there exist HPHT (high pressure hgh temperature) color treated natural pink diamonds that, while still not inexpesive, are a fraction of the cost of a natural colored pink diamond. This is not to be confused with synthetic HPHT created pink diamonds. There are color treated natural mined alternatives out there.

I think spinels are your next best bet, and offer decent durability as well. When well cut and in nice color, they do have nice sparkle factor, but to me, nothing really reacts with light like a diamond and a few other materials that are too soft to set in jewelry.

Some champagne diamonds have a strong pink cast, and are signficantly more affordable to true fancy pinks as well, but they do have brown in them, and that might not be what you want.

Zircons are nice gems, but are somewhat less durable than spinels, so that is something to note. If you're hard on your jewlery, they might not be for you.

 

[Gailey]

I''ll probably be tarred and feathered for this but as you want a pink stone for your ER, you might want to consider asking one of the custom cutters that you will see mentioned here about cutting a pink cubic zirconia for you. It would certainly give you the durability that you need for an every day stone. Of all the suggestions made so far, this would look the most diamond like in terms of dispersion and sparkle.

Although the material may be inexpensive, you will pay a premium for a precision cut stone by a reputable lapidarist, but you would get exactly the size and shape of stone you desire and it would look like a pink diamond.

If the imitatation aspect concerns you, consider that very few gemstones out there in the market today are 100% un-treated.

 

[RockHugger]

I have some pink sapphires that sparkle like crazy. Also, zircons sparkle like a diamond, although nothing sparkles QUITE like a diamond. Pink tanzanites (zoizites) are very beautiful and sparkle like a diamond as well, although are very soft.

Nothing will match the brilliance of a diamond, (and I have always wanted a pink diamond LOL) but there are a few colored stones that can come close.

What about a pink Kunzite? THose are very sparkely and come in pink or purple and flash the rainbow.

 

[LD]

Have you actually seen a pink diamond "in the flesh" so to speak? They actually don''t have the multi coloured fire of a white diamond. They do flash different colours but coloured diamonds "perform" differently to white diamonds. Bearing that in mind, you may actually find that a pink diamonds doesn''t rock your world in terms of performance although it does of course have the "ooooo" factor!

As TL has said, an HPHT or irradiated pink diamond can, if you get a good one (ie paleish and not too garish looking) be a good idea and will mean you won''t have to sell your first born to get it. However BEWARE there are lots of coated pink diamonds around now and these are not durable or necessarily stable. In the UK GemsTV have just sold a batch of pink diamond items WITHOUT disclosing they were coated diamonds. Bad bad bad.

If you don''t want to go down the HPHT or irradiated route, I''d also opt for a Zircon. Zircons are incredibly sparkly and a lovely paler one will resemble a diamond. Pink sapphires are pretty but the performance won''t be like that of a Zircon (generally speaking). A natural pink topaz as Chrono suggested is also a good gemstone to look at. I''m not sure that it will perform like a Zircon but it will definitely look pretty.

Steer clear of Morganite and Kunzite which are both gorgeous but not suitable for an everyday e-ring.

 

[jewelz617]

I think zircon might end up being the best bet. I''ve just looked at some stones online and they seem to have a wider range of the color I''m after. What I will probably do is purchase a stone and have it custom cut. So many options, it''s all very overwhelming! I think that I will probably try to shop around and see some different gems in person and under different lighting. Everyone has been extremely helpful!

 

[jstarfireb]

Zircon is definitely a great choice for fire and sparkle, but just keep in mind that it''s not quite as durable as spinel or sapphire (hardness of 7.5; spinel is 8, sapphire is 9, and diamond is 10). Some people don''t recommend it for an everyday ring. I think 7.5 is OK as I wear much softer stones on a regular basis, but just wanted you to be aware.

 

[Michael_E]

Zircon is great as long as you don''t wear it. It''s not just about hardness, but that darn stuff is very brittle and if you wear it everyday will find that you have a cabochon in a few years. Seriously, I have repaired more of those than all of the other stone repairs I''ve done together over the years. I''d go with something more durable. Please also remember that the Russians are making some of the best synthetic spinels ever now and not everyone who buy''s rough from them is upfront about what they''re selling. This stuff from Morion is so good that the rough even looks natural. Be careful when buying these colors and have them checked professionally.

 

[Gailey]

I''m glad that Michael E chimed in. His opinions, well lets just say you can take them to the bank.

Jewelz, you may not know this but Michael is a rare category of professional in that he not only cuts beautiful stones, he also sets them in custom made jewellery. It is very unusual to find someone skilled in these two completely different disciplines within the same industry, I know of only one other and he''s out in the Carribean.

It has also been my experience that often jewellers - even high end custom ones, do not know the intracacies of gemology. It always surprises me when I come across one and I know more than they do.

If you research these threads you will find who cuts beautiful stones and quality jewellers who know how to set them.

 

[T L]

Date: 12/2/2009 6:56:45 PM
Author: Michael_E
Zircon is great as long as you don't wear it. It's not just about hardness, but that darn stuff is very brittle and if you wear it everyday will find that you have a cabochon in a few years. Seriously, I have repaired more of those than all of the other stone repairs I've done together over the years. I'd go with something more durable. Please also remember that the Russians are making some of the best synthetic spinels ever now and not everyone who buy's rough from them is upfront about what they're selling. This stuff from Morion is so good that the rough even looks natural. Be careful when buying these colors and have them checked professionally.

They also contain inclusions as well, and I'm sure this stuff is being sold all over ebay as the real deal. Unless you know your source very well, always get a reputable lab report when purchasing any red/pink spinel. I'm not sure if they're making the lighter pink colors, but if they're synthesizing these, I would imagine they could do the lighter pinks as well. Also be leary of synthetic pink sapphire.

 

[Gailey]

It is one thing to be scammed by paying top dollar for what you are told is an authentic stone that turns out to be a fake.

It is another thing entirely to purposely source high quality synthetic material and pay an appropriate price for it.

 

[FrekeChild]

I wouldn''t do zircon unless you plan to only wear it occasionally. I''d do light pink spinel personally. In this thread, it looks lavender-ish, but it is definitely pink in real life. It is sparkly and brilliant and dispersive, and I''ve had people ask if it''s a pink diamond before.

Link

 

[jewelz617]

Hmmmm... lots to consider. I''ll definitely be shopping around, lots of very interesting and knowledgeable viewpoints.

 

[T L]

Date: 12/2/2009 8:56:47 PM
Author: Gailey
It is one thing to be scammed by paying top dollar for what you are told is an authentic stone that turns out to be a fake.

It is another thing entirely to purposely source high quality synthetic material and pay an appropriate price for it.

True, I think it is fine for people to buy synthetics as long as it is properly disclosed and the price is appropriate. I would even like one of those synthetic spinels as a sample. They seem very nice, and look very deceiving to the eye, for synthetics. Sorry to go slightly off topic.

 

[T L]

Someone purchased a very well precision cut light pink gem from Gene of precisiongem.com. Although tourmalines do not have as much sparkle factor as spinels, and diamonds, the cutting is done so well, that the stone is very lively. It is a lovely ring with a soft pink stone reminicent of the color of some pink diamonds. This may or may not be something that might interest you as well.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-yummy-new-3-08-pink-tourmaline-and-diamond-ring.121983/

Nice precision cut pink spinels such as those in Freke's collection or Cellentani's new one, are almost always going to have more life and scintillation than a stone not cut to exacting proportions.

 

[marcy]

Pink spinels and pink sapphires sparkle really well. I would worry about zircon because they are so soft but they are very pretty.

 

[ma re]

I'd just advise you not to buy stones based on which looks most like a pink diamond, but which you actually like best as a gemstone. They all have different properties and cover slightly different parts of the color spectrum so give different optical effects. Since it's for an e-ring, it's wise to pay attention to durability, but get what'll make you happy in the long run. Your prefered stone size might also play a role as some varieties don't come in large sizes, some don't show nice color unless they're big, some sparkle nicely only when they're large enough etc.

 

[LD]

Date: 12/2/2009 11:05:52 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Someone purchased a very well precision cut light pink gem from Gene of precisiongem.com. Although tourmalines do not have as much sparkle factor as spinels, and diamonds, the cutting is done so well, that the stone is very lively. It is a lovely ring with a soft pink stone reminicent of the color of some pink diamonds. This may or may not be something that might interest you as well.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-yummy-new-3-08-pink-tourmaline-and-diamond-ring.121983/

Nice precision cut pink spinels such as those in Freke''s collection or Cellentani''s new one, are almost always going to have more life and scintillation than a stone not cut to exacting proportions.

WOW! I haven''t seen that ring before. It''s gorgeous and I can see how people would confuse it with a pink diamond.